Thanks for the words, guys. I guess I just like a challenge, and when something that I worked for (been beating the crap out of my car to get to those locations as fast as possible!
) gets rejected, it just ticks me off a little...ESPECIALLY if I can find plenty of examples of pictures which are LESS technically sound (like the one above).
Look, if I upload a picture that is boring or the location is too common, then tell me. I CAN accept that. I understand a shot of the Amtrak in the country isn't as interesting to the viewer as one going over a 500' trestle. I'd rather know it was rejected due to an uninteresting location. But to say "bad cropping" or "bad lighting" is just bogus, especially when I have a shot like the one above with a color of lighting that doesn't happen very often. I planned that shot knowing full well that the color of the sun would have THAT glow at THAT location at THAT moment in time. Two months from now, I won't be able to get that shot. The lighting captured in that shot was intentional...and I think it provides a nice warmth that is missing from the second shot.
And Scooter, you mention the lady...that's what I thought, too. I love how their faces were lit up by the sun. Also, I did see that thread you linked to...and I commented on that picture.
Anyway, I'm done ranting now. I suppose if I paid money and joined the "elite" there, I'd probably have a better chance of non-rejection. Perhaps that is part of the motivation of rejection.
Sorry if I've sounded like I'm whining about this. I know I'm new here and you guys are probably thinking "this guy just needs to get over it!"
Trust me, I will.